Multiple gas tank assembly with individual pressure monitoring

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes an assembly for gas (e.g., compressed natural gas) storage. The assembly includes multiple gas storage tanks, with each tank coupled to a separate sub-assembly that includes a pressure gauge, shutoff valve, and pressure relief device (PRD), providing for independent pressure monitoring, shutoff, and pressure relief for each of the tanks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/734,434, titled “Multiple Gas Tank Assembly With IndividualPressure Monitoring,” filed on Sep. 21, 2018, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to astorage assembly. More particularly, implementations of the presentdisclosure are directed to an assembly including multiple gas storagetanks, with each tank coupled to a separate sub-assembly that includes apressure gauge, shutoff valve, and pressure relief device (PRD).

In general, an innovative aspect of the subject matter described in thisspecification can be embodied in a gas storage assembly that includes aplurality of gas storage tanks, each respective gas storage tank coupledto a respective sub-assembly including: a pressure gauge that measuresand displays the pressure in the respective gas storage tank; a pressurerelief device (PRD) that relieves pressure in the respective gas storagetank; and a shutoff valve that controls the flow of gas to and from therespective gas storage tank.

These and other implementations can each optionally include one or moreof the following innovative features: the assembly further includes acover that at least partly covers at least one side of the assembly,wherein the cover includes an opening to provide visibility to eachrespective pressure gauge; the gas is compressed natural gas; theassembly is attached to the tailgate of, or anywhere else on, a refusecollection vehicle; the gas is a fuel for a refuse collection vehicle;the sub-assembly further includes a supply line coupled to therespective gas storage tank and configured to supply a flow of gas toand from the respective gas storage tank; the sub-assembly furtherincludes a vent line configured for venting gas from the respective gasstorage tank; the pressure relief device is coupled to the vent line;and/or the sub-assembly further includes a port coupled to therespective gas storage tank, and the port is configured to provide aflow of gas to the respective gas storage tank.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in thisspecification can be embodied in vehicle tank pressure control systemthat includes multiple pressure gauges, each configured to measure anddisplay the pressure of a respective gas storage tank of a plurality ofgas storage tanks mounted on and coupled to a vehicle to supply gas forcombustion to propel the vehicle; multiple pressure relief devices(PRD), each PRD coupled to a respective one of the pressure gauges torelieve pressure in a respective one of the plurality of gas storagetanks; and multiple shutoff valves, each shutoff valve coupled to arespective one of the pressure gauges to control a flow of gas to andfrom a respective one of the gas storage tanks.

These and other implementations can each optionally include one or moreof the following innovative features: the system further includes acover configured to at least partly cover at least one side of aplurality of associated gas storage tanks, and the cover defines one ormore openings to provide visibility to the pressure gauges; the systemis configured for use with tanks containing compressed natural gas; thesystem is secured to a tailgate of a refuse collection vehicle; thesystem is coupled to a drive system of a refuse collection vehicle; thesystem further includes multiple gas supply lines, each supply linecoupled to a respective one of the PRDs for coupling to an associatedgas storage tank to supply a flow of gas to and from the associated gasstorage tank; the system further includes multiple vent lines, each ventline coupled to a respective one of the PRDs for coupling to anassociated gas storage tank and to vent gas from the associated gasstorage tank; and/or the system further includes multiple ports, eachport coupled to an associated gas storage tank to provide a flow of gasto and from the associated gas storage tank.

It is appreciated that aspects and features in accordance with thepresent disclosure can include any combination of the aspects andfeatures described herein. That is, aspects and features in accordancewith the present disclosure are not limited to the combinations ofaspects and features specifically described herein, but also include anycombination of the aspects and features provided.

The details of one or more implementations of the present disclosure areset forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example apparatus for pressure control and monitoring,according to implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example apparatus for pressure control and monitoring,according to implementations of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict views of an example multi-tank assembly,according to implementations of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4-6 depict example apparatus for pressure control and monitoring,according to implementations of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict views of an example multi-tank assembly, accordingto implementations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to an assemblyincluding multiple gas storage tanks, with each tank coupled to aseparate sub-assembly that includes a pressure gauge, shutoff valve, andpressure relief device (PRD). In some implementations, the assembly maybe employed to store gas, such as compressed natural gas (CNG), to beused as fuel for the operation of a vehicle such as a refuse collectionvehicle (RCV). Implementations may be employed with respect to anysuitable type of RCV, with any suitable type of body and/or hoppervariants. For example, the RCV may be: an automated side loader (ASL)vehicle, a front loader (e.g., for dumpster type containers) with orwithout a Curotto-Can™), a rear loader, and/or a roll-off vehicle. TheRCV can be employed to collect refuse from residential locations,commercial locations, and/or any other suitable type of location. TheRCV can alternatively be described as a garbage truck or a garbagecollection vehicle.

Implementations may provide for compliance with the requirements of NFPA52 (2016 version). Implementations also provide the followingadvantages. Implementations enable the monitoring of the pressure ofeach individual tank when the manual tank valve is closed using adedicated pressure gauge per tank. This contrasts with traditionalsolutions that employ a single gauge for monitoring the overall pressureof an assembly of multiple tanks, and therefore fail to provide amechanism for determining the individual tank pressures regardless oftank valve position. Implementations also enable the opening or closingof each individual tank as needed using each tank's dedicated valve.This can be especially useful to dedicate certain tanks' gas supply as areserve, close off certain tank(s) for shipping, and/or for otherpurposes. Implementations also enable the defueling of individual and/ormultiple tanks as needed instead of defueling all tanks for maintenancepurposes. This can be accomplished closing individual tank valves. Theabove advantages are unavailable in traditional, previously availablesolutions, which employ a single, common pressure gauge for multipletanks.

FIG. 1 depicts an example apparatus for pressure control and monitoring,according to implementations of the present disclosure. The apparatus ofFIG. 1 can also be described as a sub-assembly, and each tank in themulti-tank assembly (shown for example of FIGS. 3A and 3B) being coupledto its own dedicated sub-assembly. As shown in this example of FIG. 1,each sub-assembly can include the following components: a main supplyline 102 to supply gas (e.g., CNG) to and from a tank that is coupled tothe sub-assembly; a pressure gauge 104 to measure and display thepressure in the tank; a (e.g., manual) shutoff valve 106 for shuttingoff, or turning on, the supply to and from the tank; an inlet/outletport 108; a plug 110; a PRD 112 as safety device to activate and ventgas from the tank through vent lines in case of a thermal event; a ventline 114 for venting gas through the PRD from the tank in case ofthermal event when the PRD activates; and a live port 116.

FIG. 2 depicts an example apparatus for pressure control and monitoring,according to implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in theschematic of FIG. 2, the apparatus can include the following components:inlet port (202) (e.g., for 9/16″-18 UNF); valve (204) (e.g., manualvalve); pressure gauge (206); outlet port (208) (e.g., for 9/16″-18UNF); thermal PRD (210); live port (212); and venting pipe(s) (214).Either of ports 202 or 208 can be used as inlet port or outlet port.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict side views of an example multi-tank assembly,according to implementations of the present disclosure. The multi-tankassembly 300 can include any suitable number of tanks 302 to store gas(e.g., CNG). Each tank 302 may have its own dedicated sub-assembly 304that is coupled to the tank 302, as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A shows aview of the assembly without a cover. FIG. 3B shows a view of theassembly with a cover 306 that at least partly covers at least one sideof the assembly 300. The cover 306 can have any suitable number ofopenings 308 that each provide a view to the gauge 104 of a sub-assembly304, to enable an operator to read the pressure of the tank shown by thegauge 104.

As shown in these examples, implementations can also include suitableplumbing to connect the various components to one another. In someimplementations, the assembly 300 can be attached to a tailgate of aRCV. In some instances, each tank can have a manual shutoff valve and aPRD mounted on them, and can be shipped as such an assembly by a tankmanufacturer. With a different PRD setup and valve combination providedby the implementations described herein, one of the ports on the manualvalve can become the live port and can be used to monitor pressure byway of the connecting tubes and pressure gauge. This can be configuredindividually for each tank. Implementations provide for thefollowing: 1) a pressure gauge on each tank, and the tubes, fittings,and hardware used to connect them; 2) a sub-assembly that includes,along with the pressure gauge, a (e.g., manual) shutoff valve and PRDintegrated with the valve in the sub-assembly; and 3) cutouts (e.g.,openings) in the side covers 306 to make gauges visible.

When gas is filled to the tanks from a main supply line, the gas passesinto the tank from the inlet/outlet port. In some examples, one of thetop two ports on the valve is used as the inlet/outlet, and the othermay be plugged. The tanks can all be connected in parallel. When the(e.g., manual) shutoff valve is closed, the inlet/outlet ports are alsoclosed and the gas cannot come in or go out of the tanks. In someexamples, the bottom two side ports are live at all times, even when theshutoff valve is closed, and are connected to the tank but not to thesystem when the valve is closed. One of the two live ports at the bottomside can be used to insert a PRD. The other port can be live all thetime and can be used to read individual tank pressure when the shutoffvalve is closed. When the shutoff valve is open, the gauge can showsystem pressure and not individual tank pressure. In some examples,there is one gauge mounted on each tank in a similar way as shown in thefigure. Orientation may be varied as suitable. The bottom port can beclosed with a plug. In some examples, the top two and bottom two portsof the valve are not connected to each other internally.

In some implementations, instead of manual pressure gauges electricalcomponents can be used to monitor pressure. In some implementations, asmall piece of tube can be inserted between the valve and the PRD toprovide a different configuration. Some implementations may also employa different valve and/or PRD. A different kind of mechanical/electricalpressure monitoring device can be used, as appropriate.

In previously available solutions, there is no PRD on the manual valveitself and at the other end of the CNG tank. Instead, in previouslyavailable solutions: 1) there are two PRDs connected together with alive line running from one of the valve live port; 2) there are two PRDswhich are shared between two tanks; 3) all tanks are connected togetherwith common live line; and 4) there is a common pressure gauge whichindicates if there is any pressure in the tanks. These previouslyavailable solutions provide the following disadvantages: 1) given theway both PRDs are connected, in order to vent both of them have totrigger; 2) there are fewer PRDs overall to cover a greater range ofarea (e.g., in case of local fire); 3) it is not possible toisolate/shut down selected tanks if needed as reserve or any otherpurposes; 4) defueling of the complete system is required in case anymaintenance or repair is needed, causing a loss of much time and wasteof fuel; and 5) many live CNG lines which stay pressurized even whentank valves are closed. The implementations described herein improve onthese disadvantages as described above.

FIGS. 4-6 depict example systems for pressure monitoring and control.For example, FIGS. 4 and 5 each depict a top view of a gas tank coupleda respective example system for monitoring and controlling pressure inthe gas tank.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of an example system for pressure control andmonitoring in a multi-tank assembly. FIG. 8 shows a top view of theassembly depicted in FIG. 7 with the addition of a cover that at leastpartly covers at least one side of the assembly. The cover depicted inFIG. 8 can have any suitable number of openings to enable an operator toread the pressure of the tank shown by a gauge of the system.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what maybe claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific toparticular implementations. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate implementations may also beimplemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely,various features that are described in the context of a singleimplementation may also be implemented in multiple implementationsseparately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, althoughfeatures may be described above as acting in certain combinations andeven initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimedcombination may in some examples be excised from the combination, andthe claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination orvariation of a sub-combination.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, various formsof the flows shown above may be used, with steps re-ordered, added, orremoved. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of thefollowing claim(s).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A gas storage assembly of a refusecollection vehicle comprising: a plurality of gas storage tanksconsisting of every gas storage tank on the refuse collection vehicle,each respective gas storage tank of the plurality of gas storage tankscoupled to a respective sub-assembly including: a pressure gauge thatmeasures and displays a pressure in the respective gas storage tank; apressure relief device (PRD) that relieves pressure in the respectivegas storage tank; and a shutoff valve that controls a flow of gas to andfrom the respective gas storage tank.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,further comprising: a cover that at least partly covers at least oneside of the assembly, wherein the cover includes an opening to providevisibility to each respective pressure gauge.
 3. The assembly of claim1, wherein the gas is compressed natural gas.
 4. The assembly of claim1, wherein the assembly is attached to a tailgate of the refusecollection vehicle.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas is afuel for the refuse collection vehicle.
 6. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the sub-assembly further comprises a supply line coupled to therespective gas storage tank and configured to supply a flow of gas toand from the respective gas storage tank.
 7. The assembly of claim 1,wherein; the sub-assembly further comprises a vent line configured forventing gas from the respective gas storage tank; and the pressurerelief device is coupled to the vent line.
 8. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the sub-assembly further comprises a port coupled to therespective gas storage tank, wherein the port is configured to provide aflow of gas to the respective gas storage tank.
 9. The assembly of claim1, wherein the sub-assembly includes plumbing configured to separate thepressure gauge and the PRD from the shutoff valve such that the pressuregauge and the PRD remain in fluid communication with the gas storagetank when the shutoff valve is closed.
 10. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the plurality of gas storage tanks are fluidly connected inparallel; wherein the pressure in the respective gas storage tankmeasured by the pressure gauge is a system pressure across the pluralityof gas storage tanks when the shutoff valve is open; and wherein thepressure in the respective gas storage tank measured by the pressuregauge is an individual pressure specific to the respective gas storagetank when the shutoff valve is closed.
 11. A vehicle tank pressurecontrol system of a refuse collection vehicle comprising: multiplepressure gauges, each configured to measure and display the pressure ofa respective gas storage tank of a plurality of gas storage tanks, theplurality of gas storage tanks consisting of every gas storage tankmounted on and coupled to the refuse collection vehicle to supply gasfor combustion to propel the refuse collection vehicle; multiplepressure relief devices (PRD), each PRD coupled to a respective one ofthe pressure gauges to relieve pressure in a respective one of theplurality of gas storage tanks; and multiple shutoff valves, eachshutoff valve coupled to a respective one of the pressure gauges tocontrol a flow of gas to and from a respective one of the gas storagetanks.
 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a coverconfigured to at least partly cover at least one side of a plurality ofassociated gas storage tanks, wherein the cover defines one or moreopenings to provide visibility to the pressure gauges.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, configured for use with tanks containing compressed naturalgas.
 14. The system of claim 11, secured to a tailgate of the refusecollection vehicle.
 15. The system of claim 11, coupled to a drivesystem of the refuse collection vehicle.
 16. The system of claim 11,further comprising multiple gas supply lines, each gas supply linecoupled to an associated gas storage tank to supply a flow of gas to andfrom the associated gas storage tank.
 17. The system of claim 11,further comprising multiple vent lines, each vent line coupled to arespective one of the PRDs for coupling to an associated gas storagetank and to vent gas from the associated gas storage tank.
 18. Thesystem of claim 11, further comprising multiple ports, each port coupledto an associated gas storage tank to provide a flow of gas to and fromthe associated gas storage tank.